Billy Irving, 37, is one of the so-called Chennai Six, who were first jailed in October 2013 while working as security guards on a ship in the Indian Ocean to combat piracy.

Customs officials initially boarded the vessel and were said to have discovered dozens of firearms and almost 6,000 rounds of ammunition.

Charges against the men, all of whom are British, were initially dropped, but they were forced to remain in India while prosecutors pursued an appeal.

The charges against the former soldiers were later reinstated and they were sentenced to five years last January.

However, following an appeal, a judge ruled yesterday that the men should be freed.

Yvonne McHugh, who is engaged to Mr Irving – from Connel in Argyll & Bute – said she was “over the moon” the men had been freed, describing it as a “dream come true.”

During Mr Irving’s time in India, he missed the birth of the couple’s son, William. Ms McHugh, who has campaigned for the men’s release, said she felt “sheer relief” that “finally we’re getting our family back together.”